Your Guide to High Blood Pressure Medications

Dozens of inexpensive and effective blood pressure medicines are available. We look at the six main types and how they work.

By Tony Leys and Gina Roberts-Grey

Lowering your blood pressure by eating right and exercising is ideal, but doctors say that's usually not enough. Most patients require medication, and two-thirds take two or more pills.

Experts say the first pill prescribed is usually a thiazide diuretic, or water pill. Research has affirmed that diuretics help prevent future cardiovascular problems.

A beta-blocker, which keeps the heart from beating too quickly, often is prescribed first for patients who have had a heart attack or who have angina or periodic chest pain.

Most patients take at least one more pill. ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or calcium-channel blockers are common.

Read on for a look at the six top categories of blood pressure medications and how they might work for you.